Vallejo school board reviews school safety efforts

The Vallejo school board revisited Wednesday the steps the district has taken in the last two years to combat bullying and improve safety.

"The fact that bullying is all too common in our society does not mean it's inevitable in our schools," Superintendent Ramona Bishop said.

Her lengthy presentation comes after two months of vocal agitation from parents of bullied children. However, none of those parents who accused the Vallejo City Unified School District of failing to protect their children attended Wednesday's meeting.

Bishop's report addressed a variety of issues, including the idea that efforts to reduce suspension and expulsion rates are keeping violent bullies in schools.

"There's no negotiating when there's an attempted injury. There should be a consequence. ... We want our students safe from harm," Bishop said, noting that students are still suspended and expelled.

The board voted earlier in the meeting to expel two students.

The district has established a variety of anti-bullying strategies in the last year. They include positive behavior intervention and supports (PBIS), restorative justice and full-service community schools.

Bishop also noted the district is trying to identify the root causes of student conflicts. Many, especially at the high school, begin on Facebook and Twitter, Bishop said.

"I would ask that we would all really pay attention to what our students are doing on social media," Bishop said.

Among upcoming projects are finalizing an anti-bullying video, adding more cameras and fencing to schools, building a relationship with the Vallejo Police Department and exploring how best to combat cyber-bullying.

The school board also honored Vallejo High School graduate and New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia's PitCCh In Foundation for donating $25,000 to the school's athletic department.

The board also heard that State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson sent a letter agreeing to restore the board's full governing powers on April 1. The board gradually has been regaining self-governance since a 2004 state takeover.